Josh Hook has spoken of the “hard pill to swallow” after a technical issue prevented F.C.C. TSR Honda France from winning the FIM Endurance World Championship two seasons running.

Australian Hook and French team-mates Mike Di Meglio and Alan Techer were on course for EWC title glory during last weekend’s Bol d’Or when the Japanese squad hit trouble in the middle of the night.

Di Meglio, who’d been running third, was forced to push the #1 Honda after it stopped at the entrance to the pitlane shortly before 3am. Despite its best efforts, the team was left with no alternative other than to retire with a terminal technical issue less than 30 minutes later.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” said Hook, 30. “Obviously we were in a good position for the championship, these things happen unfortunately and it’s part of the game that we play. We have to accept it and move on to next year. The team and everybody did a fantastic job, that’s the main thing. All the riders were riding good, the pit work was unbelievable and all was going well. 

“There are some positives to take away from this weekend but obviously the championship was the goal that we didn’t get. It’s a shame and disappointing for sure but we have to be happy with the season that we had. We had a really good season this year but unfortunately it didn’t play out the way we planned. We have to be happy with what we’ve achieved and now the focus is to next year.”

Hook had fought an arduous battle to be fit for the Bol d’Or after being forced to undergo surgery six weeks ago on a serious shoulder injury sustained in an accident while training prior to the 44th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race.

Despite scoring three podiums during the course of the 2023 EWC season, F.C.C. TSR Honda France had to settle for fourth place in the final title ranking.